CORRECTED DeForest Area Youth Football League named USA Football's League of the Year

The DeForest Area Youth Football League has been named USA Football’s League of the Year.

In a video, Mike Cuzzone, director of the consulting team at USA Football, noted that one of the reasons for DeForest winning the 2023 award was its work in USA Football’s League Excellence Program (LEP).

Cuzzone laid out some of the criteria that goes into the selection, including having multiple game types “so more kids can come out and experience this great sport.” Additionally, USA Football wants more girls to have an opportunity. Cuzzone added, “The League of the Year is also about educating coaches. We want to make sure every coach is certified and trained to deal with health and safety issues that may arise throughout the year.”

Lastly, the League of the Year award takes into consideration a league’s work in athlete development.

“You know, we want to make sure leagues are not only worried about the physical play on the field and athletes developing as better football players, but they’re developing as better people,” said Cuzzone. “And some of that has to do with giving back to their community. Youth leagues all across the country do great things within their community, which is why it’s a part of the League of the Year.”

The DeForest Area Youth League has been in USA Football’s LEP for the last three years. In 2021, the league was in bronze, and after making some enhancements to the league in 2022, it raised up to the silver level.

“And then last year they were able to incorporate more aspects of the football development model and more game types and became a gold level organization,” said Cuzzone. “Another reason why they stand out is their commitment to health and safety. They have an emergency action plan covering every one of the facilities that they practice or play games at, which includes having an a ED on site wherever kid and participants are at. On top of that, every one of their coaches not only gets USA football certified, but they also get First Aid and CPR certified, ensuring the health and safety of every participant that comes out to their practices and games.”

It was also noted that every year since 2019 has seen an increase in the number of participants in the DeForest Youth Football League, and the number has almost doubled over the past five years, according to Cuzzone.

“We commend their league and a strong effort to get more girls and women involved in the sport, whether it’s players, coaches, or board members,” said Cuzzone. “There’s been great effort and seeing more participation amongst females within the league. On behalf of USA Football, congratulations, the DeForest Area Youth Football League.”